19 Aug 2014 Safety first when riding the 501

by John Patton

As the 501 stretches into summer and early autumn, the weekends are filled with cyclists sharing the roads and trails with pedestrians and vehicles. Sometimes these encounters can lead to spills and crashes and trips to the emergency room.

Some of these painful lessons can be avoided by observing the rules of the road, according to Rance Bryant, director of the Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center. Bryant has been an avid recreational cyclist for the past 12 years and serves on the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness. He enjoys riding his bike on the Arkansas River Trail.

“We are lucky to have it in our backyard; a lot of cyclists travel here just to ride the trail,” Bryant said of the scenic, 88.5-mile trail. The expansive River Trail extends along the river from Downtown Little Rock through Riverfront Park, Burns Park, the Big Dam Bridge, Two Rivers Park and Pinnacle Mountain State Park before stretching into Mayflower and parts of Conway and Bigelow.

Whether riding the River Trail or through the neighborhood, certain rules apply. Always put safety first, says Bryant.

He offers a few tips to avoid hazards:

Wear a helmet and make sure it fits. Even the best riders can have spills. “This the first rule of thumb for safety. Wearing a helmet is mandatory for most organized rides, and it should be for every ride,” Bryant said. “Even if you are just riding around the neighborhood.”

Visually inspect your bike before a ride (brakes, chain, tires and handlebars). In addition to checking air pressure in the tires, Bryant says make sure the chain is attached and the brakes are aligned and not rubbing the tire.

Inflate tires to your bike’s recommended PSI. Manufacturer’s recommendations for inflation may vary for specific tires, and there are differences between recreational and racing purposes.

Become clearly visible by wearing bright colored clothes and using lights on the front and back of the bike. He said make sure the lights are fully charged and have batteries that work.

Try to ride with a group in case of emergencies and to increase visibility for drivers. There are multiple, organized groups around Central Arkansas.

Ride with traffic near the right hand side of the road or in a bike lane if available.

Use hand signals to let the people behind know when you stop or turn.

Be aware of your surroundings — cars, pedestrians, animals. It is always wise to approach as though those in front do not see you. Also be aware of your road condition from potholes to loose gravel. Especially on the Arkansas River Trail, cyclists may encounter wild animals such as deer and skunks.

Carry a water bottle or two to avoid dehydration.

Always tell someone where you are riding and your expected route.

Take your cell phone along for the ride. Most areas of Central Arkansas have at least fair cell phone reception.

Even though you have as much right to be on the road as others, Bryant advises be smart and considerate of other travelers. A good rule of thumb: Don’t hog the road and be courteous of other pedestrians and other cyclists. For instance, cyclists will often yell their position (right or left) when approaching groups of people from behind.

Numerous collisions can be avoided by observing these rules of the road. Enjoy the rest of the summer logging in miles on the road.

Conway Fall Classic

Conway Advocates for Bicycling will host its annual Conway Fall Classic at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

Designed for cyclists who enjoy riding the countryside, the event features three routes which start and end at Grace United Methodist Church at 1075 Hogan Lane.

This year’s event benefits City of Hope Outreach.

For more information, cycleconway.com or email [email protected].

Big Dam Bridge 100

The Big Dam Bridge 100 is an annual Little Rock event that celebrates the “Big Dam Bridge” over the Arkansas River.

This year’s event is planned Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Big Dam Bridge 100 has several routes ranging between 15 and 100 miles, with some mountain and river scenery, as well as a few challenging hills on the longer routes. The finish line ends in the Argenta District of Downtown North Little Rock.

For information, visit thebigdambridge100.com.